I have a couple of tanks FOWLR. I noticed the number of trace elements available at LFS's and was wondering if these reef trace products are needed in FOWLR or only in fully blown reef tanks. I heard that partial water changes can be enough to replenish trace elements. The ones at my LFS are Seachem and Sera.
Trace elements
- Thread starter Kit Walker
- Start date
Kit, I went ahead and found something from Wet Web Media. I think they go both ways on it, so you'll have to read and see which scenario better applies to you. I hope that this helps (and I apologize for that other thread elsewhere).
~Matthew
The site in question: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/../fishinvsetup.htm
~Matthew
The site in question: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/../fishinvsetup.htm
Best way to answer your question is: are you seeing growth in coralline algae and successful molts in any crustaceans? The calcium and iodine levels are the big issues for a FOWLR, so if your coralline is spreading, then you are probably okay. Crabs and shrimp, and to a lesser degree fish, all need some level of trace elements, but if you are not seeing problems, then you should be okay.
You don't even need these elements added into a reef tank. Instead, it's more a matter of doing water changes to LOWER the levels of trace elements in the tank which increase to problem levels as you add your food.
The only good I have seen these trace elements do is to help the profitability of the LFS, thus helping to keep them around to supply me with needed products.
The only good I have seen these trace elements do is to help the profitability of the LFS, thus helping to keep them around to supply me with needed products.